It has been a bit since my last entry. I got caught up, with school and things. However, I am here again to either snag your attention or talk to myself. Hopefully the latter is not the case. What stole me away from any sort of blogging was my aliens. I had a big project that has made a new road for me to follow. Five three and a half foot aliens that are made out of clothe and stuffing have officially made their earth residence in my basement. There are photos available on my site, which they have also invaded: FWP Studios. On the note of my website, I would like to answer some old odd questions. I am an independent filmmaker, and I made this very strange short series called Filled With Pinecones. It was my very first project behind a camera and behind a script that got off the ground, and it was silly. The best advice that I can give is: if you watch it, just smile and laugh at it. It will be the first film on the site and takes about thirty minutes to view. If you show some serious interest in it, chase down the YouTube profile RadDreamers to get some insight with the annotated versions. Next on the list would be a recent film called Choice which is under a minute long, it’s a concept film. Another short offsite pimping I would like to shoot out is that I have been writing a comic on facebook called Masquerade, I just finished the first book and you can find it here: Masquerade: ONLY on Facebook.


For recent news, I am in production on my current film called River City Run, which is a Mafioso action comedy. I will be providing the internet with a trailer within the week and will exclusively post it here first. The film is along the way and I am still taking actors, if you live anywhere near the Sioux Falls area and interested shoot me a message, girls are welcome, its sort of a sausage fest right now haha.

Juggling work and filming and the all around barely-motivatedness is tough, but I promise more Blogging. Ask me questions and get me rolling.

It’s been long enough, to be honest; it has actually been since I was twenty that I have posted. I basically broke the promise that I would definitely pump out one post a week, but what the hell. Oddly enough, none of that lost time had been spent drinking. So, let’s get started.

Yeah, February 7th was my “big day”. Legal enough to drink, but still naive enough to be convinced that I could make some sort of social impact by actually not drinking; as if my choices have the ability to affect others around me. For the most part, going out and eating with family and Wes and turning down the drink just led to series’ of questions with hollow answers to follow. But whatever, I’m twenty-one and regardless, I don’t feel any different. I mean, perhaps I do, if we look seven years back or something, I probably would have beaten the crap out of my younger self. No hard feelings for me, however.

I guess there’s a sort of bittersweet feeling that comes with this month. My latest theme has been “if it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all”. Although, truth be told, I just can’t let myself give in that easily. In life I still have a lot to learn. Sure, I can toil away on silly assigned projects and get strangely mixed receptions and I can try to change things, I can try lots of things, yet I still know so little. Maybe it's birthdays that do this to me.

When was the last time that I promised that I would find a way to bring out the adventurous child in everyone? Perhaps I still do, but if I am going to make it, if we are going to make it, someone has to finally stop and face the time that we have. I like this place, I like this school, and besides the parking tickets and joblessness, things are pretty great. I think I am still trying to swallow life.

Perhaps it really comes with the lack of life there really is at DSU. And I could apologize, but I am going to make –what is hopefully my last- point, about DSU. It was great there, easy, a breeze. Of course personal lives get messed up and things get swirled around, but it never really changes. Things kept moving. To parallel Kingdom Hearts, I was stuck on an island. Perhaps there is no big dilemma that I need to face or any darkness that I need to face out there, but there was isolation. It was sort of too much paradise. I could go anywhere, do anything, I never really ran out of money and I never really had to be that responsible for things. I had everything I would ever need at DSU, but I would still be isolated. I would still have a job, but I would still be a child, well taken care of. The only thing that leaves a bad taste in my mouth is that here at MCAD, I still feel like I am on my little raft and I have yet to settle down. This could become a home, a place that I stay, but should I? I can’t shake the feeling that my time here is limited, that I have so much to do next.

Anyhow, over the weekend, I was happily reunited with some of the greatest friends I will ever know. It was fun, the lack of sleep and the time spent making jokes and reflecting. I wonder now, though, as lives are changing, where is each of us headed? Where will the maelstrom take is next?

Questions and projects are sort of drowning me these days. I guess the best things I have right now are quotes, the lack of cable television has kept us watching movies and sucking music like its going out of style. I suggest you just take a few hundred dollars and go spend it on the following media to know what I am getting at: Live (all CDs), Streetlight Manifesto and Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution (all CDs), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, GoodFellas, Beetlejuice, Pulp Fiction…. Gah just ask anyone with a good music/movie collection, like Paul, to lend you something.

Well it is time to wrap things up. I am out for now.

Look at me! I am blogging twice in one week! How exciting can you get?

Anyhow, I am here to talk about one of my new toys. As of yesterday, I am the proud owner of an Intuos 3 4x6 Wacom Tablet. I used to roll the same Gateway Tablet PC that the DSU community forces upon its weary students, but at long last I have this handy device. Sure, it costs about the same as a month’s rent, and perhaps it seems strange since I can borrow them from the school’s Media Center, but I really need one that I can use on my own.

It really resolved a lot of the issues that I had with the Gateway, one of those major issues being the Stylus’ connectivity. I used to spend up to an hour just screaming at that Gateway to work. This new tablet has a wonderful connectivity and 1024 levels of sensitivity for all of my drawing needs. Expect a lot more of Masquerade to come, with a few animations as well. Allow me to do some shameless plugging here: http://www.wacom.com/intuos/features_benefits.php



Thank you Wacom.

This is already turning out to be one stupendous birthday week for me. It will be fun, I am sure, and as for the tablet, I will be playing with it as much as I can this week and further on, I will be showing off a bit, I expect, so get ready for that. That’s it for now, thanks for stopping by.

A note to anyone who reads this, this is also my blog at blogspot: http://brothersunaware.blogspot.com/

There comes a time in every man’s life when he needs to be able to look back on himself and accept what he has done. When he can accept his past and learn that there is nothing he can change about what is behind him. Only then can he look to tomorrow.

I guess, I have sort of had a revelation this weekend. It seems that each time I am left alone with for the weekend, I come to certain ideas. Perhaps it is not too different than what is said in Brave New World. That when a man is alone, he can’t help but understand that there is a God. However, it has only been a month, and already 2009 is becoming a very important year. Yeah, like I always enjoy recapping, Wes and I are at MCAD now, a vastly different place from DSU. I have fallen from faith, and, rather quickly, rediscovered it. I have even seen myself grow quite a bit, even to an extent where I am probably different than I was even three months ago. There is probably a logical explanation for everything, like the fact that I have become religiously devoted to soaking up as many things as I can that I find inspiring. Although, I think that is something good.

I had originally had intended to pop up here and continue my rant that I had started lat week and I think I will, briefly, but my intent has changed. But, as I promised here I go: I think, that at the core of the “artistic people” that I have surrounded myself with, there is a similar influence. We all seemed to be triggered by some sort of music. As I usually am, my musical taste is very limited, because I do not hold time for music that feels pointless. You all probably know what I am into, but that has nothing to do with what I wanted to talk about. I think that the issue with the people who base any of their art on musical lyrics. I do this, I know, however, there are two types of fans; those that listen and those that hear. If you just hear it, you don’t have any use making a license out of it. And again, an artist cannot take lyrics and slap them all over things and call it art. Maybe it is art, but it is not well prepared. There needs to be access to actual artists to also draw experience from. If something is going to reference music, quote it and give it a place in your universe. Do not allow yourself to cop out and waste someone else’s musical and lyrical talent, by simply ripping them off. Take time to find a way to make the words your own, in appropriate situations. If you can summon someone else’s words to emphasize a feeling or make a moment make better sense, then you aren’t misusing it, you are giving a part of yourself to it.

Back on track… I guess I still needed to get that out. I am sort of having the urge to graduate. I want to make these silly things called graphic novels, however, since high school I have been rather obsessed with what Aldous Huxley called “The Human Condition”. I focus on myself more than anything, and it becomes rather grueling. I guess the reason I have ever wanted to write anything, or tell any sort of story is because I want to affect others. I want to somehow concern someone enough to inspire them, just as I have been inspired. Although, with a great concern, comes a great deal of uncertainty. I viewed something that moved me, and in it’s great words, “We must go on living, living for today, for tomorrow, for the next day, even if it means living in pain.” Those words from a man in a story, a man who, though the worst odds had the ability to grin and bear it, and pass a positive message to anyone he knew, even though wherever he went, destruction followed.

I think that like that man, I still have the urge to break out, even out of Minnesota, out to travel, to wander. I have found a possible publisher, and even that isn’t enough for me to want to settle down. The traveler has to accept that he his constantly in motion, before he can even step forward. I think that after my time here, I still want to set off on my own for a while, but I want to see people, and see the world. I want to know exactly what is out there before I am too old to do so. It all still a day dream, but like the band that just wanted a tour and a rental van, I want to get out and show the world the few things that I have been given.

It might sound strange, but it all sort of flooded into me over the last twenty-four hours and I feel that it all lies on the path to eventually feeling content, and letting go of what is behind me and being able to look not just forward, but all around me. “I know I’ve done something wrong, all I know now, is I’ve got to do something right.”

It’s been a long, long time since I have been remotely active, but I am trying, I really am, to come back and be an active member. I have a busy life, and although I could be certain that no one reads this, I will be doing what I can to make time for SG. Two years ago this was probably the only website that even concerned my life, however, tons of classes, moving and managing my own website has led me to stray away. About two days ago I watched one of the SG DVD’s and felt like I should leave myself out anymore.

I no longer attend Dakota State University in Madison. I guess after all that time of loving it DSU just wasn’t for me. I really needed some extra room to grow, so one of my close friends, Wes, and I moved to Minneapolis. It was quite the change for either of us. We had been used to out relatively small town feel of the places we were used to and having that sense of dominance over our surroundings. We are adjusting well to the city life, even though it is a big change. I left KDSU, my baby, my radio station behind, and am considering the MCAD radio station.

I just said MCAD, which is where we are attending now the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. It sure is something else, to say the least. Perhaps we will get what we want from this school. We were at a Junior level at DSU and now we are lowly Freshman again. It is sort of exasperating to think that we are starting over. Anyhow, I am no longer an animation major, although I am still dabbling in it. I loved it, but I am a storyteller, which –for those of you who actually read this far – is something that is probably obvious. I am now looking at Comic Art. I have a facebook account where I have been documenting a freelance, simplistic fantasy/adventure comic for free. I am going to be porting it to SG here along with a new slough of my own photos. The comic is called Masquerade and it wont be getting any updates until I get my new tablet, so around February 7th on my 21st birthday.

Another reason for all the profile changes is that I have experienced a great deal of change in my life. Through the trials of grades and jobs, and failing relationships over the last few years, I have seriously grown up, however not so old that I can’t cosplay. So I hope if anyone reads this, they enjoy as I make this major promise: I will update at least once a week.

Well, well, well.... It seems that watching videos like Sock Baby and too many cartoons has spawned a very new idea for a feature film made with live action. Jump over to the Team Attrition website and learn what you can. I cant give too much away but if you find yourself near Sioux Falls or Madison South Dakota in the next few weeks, or through this fall let me know! I have an open casting call for 3 male and 1 female actors, but i can always use eager extras!!!! Tell me if youre interested! Check back Here for more or at the afforementioned Attrition site!

Hey there everyone! the Team Attrition Website is up and running! If any of you want to see what it is that we are working on exactly give the site a look, it goes official July 14th, tomorrow, so check it out! All of our works are on there and I am excited to announce a new DVD release! See you all soon, I may have more pics for posting soon too!

Here you go folks, a short story for you about life in a way. a strange interpretation that i just wrote:

Truth

“Thoughts mean nothing,” Spoke the voice of an eerily familiar voice. The voice itself seemed to resonate through whatever strange hallow place that it had inhabited. It also echoed through the skull like a million tiny pieces trying to escape. The skull it rebounded through was not your skull, nor mine, but the skull of a young man, laying prone on a stretched rusty surface.
Pushing himself up the young man surveyed his surroundings. There was clearly nothing but a black and rusted oblivion and nothingness. The surface was rusty in feel and appearance but none of the red seemed to rub off on his hands as he hoisted himself to his feet. A puff of breath swept out of his mouth and took in a very stale taste. With a peculiar stare, his green eyes tried their best to accept the new, strange, place.
Scratching his scalp through a head of brown hair, he began to create a reason for being here. The last thoughts he could remember were laying himself down to sleep after a long rough day. And now, this place; could it be a dream? What else could such a surreal state form itself from?
Before anything more could be said, the voice returned to remind the young man that he was not alone, “You understand, so little. But you have tried so very hard to aspire to something you have never allowed yourself to be.” This time the voice was clearer and more defined, but the gender was tough to decipher.
“Who-” The young man began to question as his surroundings changed. With a folding upright and in on itself, the entire rusted layout became nothing. Darkness encapsulated him. Every side was completely empty. The feeling of being utterly alone would soon flee from his thoughts as something new came into place. Eight tubes, each filled with an ornately colored liquid began to appear. Just as the tubes became relevant, they were occupied by more than just the liquid. Fleshy creatures grew within, each becoming its own and taking on its own personification.
“Here you go,” spoke the voice again, “The things you claim to cherish, finally here and yours.”
“This isn’t how I wanted it to-” The young man was cut short again.
“Silence, child, you will have plenty of time to talk once you know who you are.”
Just as soon as the gentle command emerged, the young man began to feel something new: a feeling, not one of emotional magnitude, but one of physical nature. Through the black abyss the man fell and turned is head downward to face whatever it was that he would be heading for. The moment he did so a speck of light began to glow. As it glowed it also grew until it started to hold its own colors. A rich brown was accompanied by a deep, enchanting, blue. The sight soon became obvious that there was a body of water nearing. The young man would soon be freefalling into it.
Before cresting the still pool, all the young man could ponder was what the outcome could be. Is the water deep enough to dive? Even so, would it be safe from such a distance? Could he survive such a collision? These thoughts and all others had no time to pervade his mind as he hit the cool feeling of refreshment.
A sigh heaved through his body as he began to slow and sink through the pool which appeared deeper than the ocean. The slowing stopped and he looked to the rippling top of the water, some sort of light was shining through and a new physical feeling emerged, this time closely followed by emotion.
His flesh began to burn and his insides screamed with agony, just as he would if he were on the surface. The water started to seethe into his lungs and push down upon his body. A bleeding feeling flowed through every piece of him as he rapidly struggled to surface.
Breaking through the thin sheathe of the ever settling surface, he forced himself onto the thick, muddy banks. The thick and wet mud was like acid to the touch and he screamed with rage as water emerged from his mouth and lungs. Spitting and Sputtering he gasped for air which tasted like cold steel blades piercing his tongue and throat. Turning sharply and ungracefully, he peered into the suddenly calm water. A reflection of him became utterly clear and visible the moment he made eye contact with himself.
His eyes were bloodshot and vibrantly green with pain and rage. His hair was soaked and mud spattered. His face was pale and sagging. That is when he noticed the gaps in his skin. Rotted holes ate through his cheeks and the teeth beneath were crusted and decayed. His bottom jaw was exposed with bone and bled slowly. His shoulders sagged as well and led to a twisted and deformed left arm that ended in claws that were once delicate fingers. His right arm was gone at the shoulder joint and had a phantom of darkness protruding as a non detailed figure ending in a misty hand. His legs were bent and quite rotted as he stood there, plagued and empty with his entrails exposed.
The voice returned from behind him and said, “You have become almost everything you try not to be. This is you, filled with sin, composed of wrongs and ignorance. Many people wind up this way, in their own way. Can you accept what you are?”
Finally given a chance to speak, the young man gritted his pain-filled teeth and slopped up a vomit of blood as he struggled to motivate his jaw to speak, “No, I cannot. How could I have become such a, such a demon?”
“You think you are a demon, my child?”
“I guess so,” The young man stated as he turned from the pool and wallowed through the mud to the edge of the nothing that was there behind him where the voice came from. “I don’t really know what else to call myself. It is obvious that I am nothing, just a fool; a worthless liar. Where did I go wrong?”
“Ah, my son, you are still so ignorant,” Said the voice as it began to feel more comforting, “These mistakes of yours may accumulate and eat through you as a wretched disease. It is your ignorant ability to contain all the feelings and problems that each mistake creates that make one small problem grow into a chain of ever bigger ones. You fight within yourself and with others so much that you lose your head. You perpetuate your own downfall from your being closed. You give the correct words to your thought and sometimes to others, but you rarely act upon it. That is what creates such an ugly soul.”
After the short lecture the tubes appeared again, but the one with a bright clear liquid was now in front and the figure inside was slipping out of the bottom, drenched in the bright substance. It was a female figure that floated just past the edge of the mud and without the tube, appeared crucified in the darkness.
“The darkness in you is not the enemy,” Said the voice, returning to its speech, “You have lost your way plenty of times, my son, and now you have began to lose the things you love. Even the potential ones that might just love you back. It may be a rough world out there, but there is a big difference between conforming into it, fighting it, and having the will to change it. Each may go hand in hand at certain moments, but being able to follow your instinct and acting upon your feelings without a second thought is the key to understanding. But this time, I regret, you may have lost everything.”
With a teary look the young man peered at the feminine figure whose head was bowed and limp between its raised shoulders. He reached out to her with his twisted left hand and gently caressed her face; leaving small gashed with his brutal fingers. No blood emerged and he knew that she, like the other tube people, had perished.
With a struggled gulp of anguish he asked the voice, “Can this be changed?”
A short silent moment separated the question with the answer, “You can change everything. Look around you.”
The young man turned to see the mud had become a grassy field full of flowers and life, and his body had returned to normal. As he took in the sweet scents and tastes of life, he turned back to the voice.
Before he could speak the girl and the tubes were gone as well as the field beneath his feet and he was once again alone in the dark.
“You first have to learn to free yourself, from your cage. Free yourself from your prison within your mind.”


Thanks for reading,let me know what you think!
-Dylan

I have the promo picture that my friend Katie let me take of her temp tattoo. I hope you like it.



It was fairly short notice and made with easily removed markers, i decided to make it on a whim. Anyway, today was good, Chilled out with Brandon, had a bitsky of fun with him. But not much news to report.

-Dylan

Wow this has been a long time folks, so maybe i need to update. Im out of my first year of college *yay!*, four more left now that I am gearing up for a double major. I am also buying a new(er) car in two weeks so I have been saving up like crazy for that. Also, I am breaking back into an old study of supernatural and Cryptids with my pal Brandon, you may know him as Random Asian. This will probably be more of a passtime. I am hoping that we can do some neat stuff with that this summer. I am also getting a brand spankin new website up for Team Attrition, the animation group I have. I will get that out to all of you so you can better understand things like The Coil, which will be on release there. I have also got a few very simplistic demo projects of Black and White up on YouTube, just search Dylan and Team Attrition, you should find it, one set of videos with a boy, the other with a girl. I hope that all of you will have a chance to visist the new site when i get that up.

On a more current events note, i have gotten my wisdom teeth yanked, i know, late in life right? So that has been killer and i have also been working quite a bit as well. Been spending a lot of time with Brandon and my pal Jory. Brandon and I, as i said, have been goofing off and getting into the strange and unusual. Jory and I have been wasting that expensive gas and discussing our (seemingly hopeless) search for girls haha .

Oh yeah, and when i get the chance i am going to reveal an SG logo, temp tattoo that i gave my friend Katie, so look for that!

Later all,
Dylan